the nozzles were created out of yogurt cups and miniature farmers pails

underside of bridge section

the detail builds

primered and ready for molding, next comes the base

a section of the Lunar module makes for the base

detailed and sized on sentra, this piece molded will line the back of the belly module

sentra {an air injected lightweight styrene} 3/8 inch thick make for the building material of the module...the surface is then scribed and paneled

micro detail patches are placed in areas to match the same as seen in the photos of the original.

levels of depth and cavities are created and piping fills the insets

yes there is a nod to The Empire Strikes Back here!!! the ATAT head now has been transformed into the main antenna array mount

Spaceballs pieces added to the deep detail hidden in the dark recesses here.

attaching the elements make for one heavy piece!!

micro detailing of the cones comes next using more tie fighter pieces along with WWII German RR cannon pieces

the piping was molded off of the original

all assembled and primer grayed

seen here without the belly module, the ship indeed looks too light in mass in comparison to the rest of the ship

the side view shows the belly module adding a good amount of visual weight to the bridge area!

inserted and matching the paint

setting up at PSOL and finally getting the cockpit piece put on

the detail across this ship is so mesmerizing!

this thing has so many cool angles to get lost in!!!

the bridge needs some detailing then she'll be all done

Hi all and so glad to have read all the great comments about the Nostromo!!! Seems that we all love Ron Cobb and those UK modelers’ massive space tug and are all equally glad that it lives again!!!!!! Today’s entry shows more of the detail construction and some of the set up at the LA Branch of the “Prop Store of London”. You’ll see all kinds of cool stuff in the background, so there will be more to drag your attention around while looking at the Nostromo. Todays photos start with the construction of the bridge’s belly module… this piece by looks of the paint and detail where it once was, indicates that it was added on much later in the model’s construction. Somebody on stage probably said, “Hey, the nose section is a bit thin!!! Beef it up a bit !!!” And I am sure that is what caused this piece to be built and screwed in on top of tons of lovely surface detail. Anyway, this whole piece was missing, so it had to be built from scratch using the photos at hand!!! It is basically a fat box with loads of details in the recesses and three nozzles attached to it’s rear. It also houses the massive three foot antenna array which was a bear to mount and keep straight…so with no delays, enjoy today’s Nostromo pics!!! There are also 8 hidden Mickey’s on the ship now!!! but not in today’s pics!! R2 will be the last pic in the last entry for this one.

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47 Responses to “nostromo part 3, The work continues at Grant McCune design”

OK, I definitely need to watch Alien again. There’s no denying that now. I’ll have to pull out the DVD here shortly and start watching. 🙂

Um, Wow, where to begin. You guys are doing some AMAZING work on this. Yogurt cups, pails and parts from models, not all of which existed when this model was first built. And it all looks like it was always there. That’s absolutely amazing. Great work by everyone involved in restoring this beauty. She almost looks like she did 31 years ago and looks nothing like the partial model you all started with. 😀

It just amazes me how innovative you physical modelers are when you need a part. In CG, when you need a part, you build it, no matter how bizarre it is. You don’t worry about how it would be constructed in the real world. It’s a shame that physical modeling is going the wayside. As much as I love CG, there’s no competing with a good ol’ well constructed physical model. 🙂

I wish I had the director’s cut. I only have the 20th Anniversary DVD where you have to watch the deleted scenes separately. I have the director’s cut of Aliens, though. I guess I’ll have to splurge one of these days and get the Alien director’s cut.

That was so beyond cool, and what a rare opportunity it was! I felt like I was back in 1979. Just smokin’ awesome indeed! Glad we could do it together with Greg and Nelson as well. über-rare and good times a had by all, eh.

OH man, all the shampoo and lotion bottles, etc. I went through building scratch built models. Maybe “found-object” models in part is a better description.

I remember my Mom gettin’ good-humored miffed ’cause I would empty all the bottles in the bathroom into cereal bowls, and she’d say, “Now how am I supposed to use this stuff now, Dougy?” I’d say, “Just dip your hand in, Mom, and scoop some up.” She was like, “you’re so lucky I love and support your creative madness, kiddo.”

I’d say, “Yep Mom, I am, you’re the best. Are you done with that conditioner bottle yet?” 😀

BTW, is that a Space: 1999 Eagle hanging perpendicular to the ground in the background?

Thanks again for the window into this AMAZINg project, dude!

Oh, and don’t forget to please send me the ST shuttle art, eh. Workin’ on a traditional G7 right now, but want to build both 3-H and 4-H, and also maybe your take on the standard IOWA shuttle config, concept-sheet date 6-07.

Wowowowowowow.!!!!!!!!! This series has been AWESOME! Alien is a real favorite of mine and to see the actual Nostromo model’s details like this puts me in hog heaven. I built many a model when I was a kid and it’s cool to recognize so many tank and battleship parts. And the Lunar Module! Great, great stuff, John.

And I think deg’s right about the Eagle in the “side view” shot. If it’s not an Eagle it’s something darn close!

I’ve been awed following the work on this big bruiser of a model!! I’ve not had the pleasure of scratch building, but I so admire the crowd here who has the creativity and stick-to-it-iveness (?) – probably literally sticking to many parts of your creations at one point or another. 😉

Still haven’t taken up that triple dog dare to watch the film by myself…in a dark room…late at night…awe, now I won’t be able to sleep just thinking about it!! On the big screen, watching the DC with pals, now that’s the way to do it! I was jealous then, and now I’m even more jealous. HA!

Ok, yeah, now I have to find the Director’s cut and watch this movie again because seeing these pictures has really helped me appreciate the Nostromo in all her glory and splendor! The level of detail on this model is so incredible. It must have been very time consuming to create.